Gear Systems & Mechanical Control is one of 9 topics in the Grade 9 Technology CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. Which mechanism uses a toothed wheel and a hinged arm to allow rotation in one direction only?
A ratchet and pawl
A disc brake
A cleat
A bevel gear
Answer: A ratchet and pawl — A ratchet and pawl mechanism uses a toothed wheel (the ratchet) and a hinged arm (the pawl) to allow rotation in one direction only, locking against the other direction.
Easy
2. A disc brake slows a wheel down mainly by converting kinetic energy into which form of energy, through friction?
Heat
Light
Sound only, with no heat produced
Electrical energy
Answer: Heat — A disc brake uses friction between the brake pads and the rotating disc to convert the wheel's kinetic energy into heat, slowing or stopping the wheel.
Medium
3. Name the fitting, often shaped like a pair of horns, around which a rope is wound and held in place by friction, commonly used on boats.
Answer: cleat — A cleat is a fitting around which a rope is wound and held firmly in place by friction, commonly used on boats to tie off a mooring rope.
